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My blog will share creative ideas to raise standards across the curriculum using technology. Mr P provides inset, keynotes and training to schools internationally looking for innovative ideas to engage, inspire and transform learning. Training is delivered by a real teacher with real ideas for using tech to enhance learning across the curriculum. For more info please email davyhulme.ipad@gmail.com.

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Guided Reading through Music - Fast Car by Tracy Chapman

Music is such an incredibly powerful tool in the classroom. I have previously blogged plenty of ideas about using music in the classroom. A few months ago, along with John Murray, I blogged about using the song 'Wasn't Expecting That' by Jamie Lawson as a stimulus in class. You can read it here. Another song in the charts currently that could be used in the same way is the remake of Fast Car, originally performed by Tracey Chapman. A song that has an interesting story to discuss. Here is the original -

Here is the version currently in the charts by Jonas Blue Feat Dakota

Here are the lyrics and some questions to consider -

You got a fast carI want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterStarting from zero got nothing to loseMaybe we'll make somethingMe myself I got nothing to prove

Who do you think the singer is speaking to?

Is the singer happy? How do you know?

What do you think the deal is?

Why do you think they repeatedly use the word maybe? Why is this word effective?

Any place is better than where?

You got a fast carI got a plan to get us out of hereI've been working at the convenience storeManaged to save just a little bit of moneyWon't have to drive too farJust 'cross the border and into the cityYou and I can both get jobsAnd finally see what it means to be living

What is the plan?

What is a convenience store? Why do you think the singer wants to leave?

Where do they want to go?

Where do you think they live now?

Why do they want to go to the city?

What job do you think they want?

See my old man's got a problemHe lives with the bottle that's the way it isHe says his body's too old for workingHis body's too young to look like hisMy mama went off and left himShe wanted more from life than he could giveI said somebody's got to take care of himSo I quit school and that's what I did

What is the problem with the singer's Dad?

How old do you think he is?

How old do you think he looks? Why do you think this?

Why did the Mum leave?

What sacrifices did this make the singer make?

How do you think the singer feels towards these sacrifices?

Why does the singer want to escape?

You got a fast carIs it fast enough so we can fly away?We gotta make a decisionLeave tonight or live and die this way

So remember when we were driving driving in your carSpeed so fast I felt like I was drunkCity lights lay out before usAnd your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulderAnd I had a feeling that I belongedI had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

What does the fast car symbolise?

How has the singer's desire to leave change?

Why is the singer now presenting an ultimatum?

How does the singer feel in the car?

Why does she feel this way?

Where have they travelled to?

What does 'round mean? Why has it been written like this?

Why has the word 'someone' been repeated?

You got a fast carWe go cruising, entertain ourselvesYou still ain't got a jobAnd I work in a market as a checkout girlI know things will get betterYou'll find work and I'll get promotedWe'll move out of the shelterBuy a bigger house and live in the suburbs

Has life in the city changed? If so, how?

Is it better or worse? Why do you think this?

Where do they live?

Do you think the singer is hopeful? How do you know?

You got a fast car

I got a job that pays all our bills

You stay out drinking late at the bar

See more of your friends than you do of your kids

I'd always hoped for better

Thought maybe together you and me find it

I got no plans I ain't going nowhere

So take your fast car and keep on driving

Do you think the singer is male or female?

What has changed?

What other words can we use to describe the singer? Is she still hopeful? Is she still hopeful towards her partner?

What can we infer about the partner? How is he different to the singer?

What does the last line mean? What decision has the singer made? Why do you think this has happened?

How does this reflect what happened to her own parents?

You got a fast carIs it fast enough so you can fly away?You gotta make a decisionLeave tonight or live and die this way

Why has this verse changed from 'we' to 'you'?

Reflections on the whole song -

Do you think the song is positive or negative?

Do you think the singer's dreams of city life was all it lived up to be?

Did the singers hopeful attitude change as the song progressed?

What do you think the meaning of the song is?

What does the fast car symbolise?

I think it is a really interesting activity to take something the children are interested - a song, and deconstruct the message and ideas behind it. As a song, it will also have some poetic features that you can discuss such as rhythm and rhyme. With this song, however, it is the discussion behind the story and the message it tries to portray that intrigues me.

I would be interested to know what your children think. There are two sides to every story, so what would the partner have to say. What would his story show???

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